With open floor plans and all rooms easy to access on one main level, Ranch-style homes are timeless, all-American classics. Popular for decades, these box-shaped homes feature a long, low roofline and exteriors usually made of brick or stucco.
For buyers in search of a touch of Mid-Century Modern style, Ranch-style homes are a smart plan. For first-time home buyers, or those seeking a bargain, these homes are an ideal choice because their prices aren’t as steep as true Mid-Century Modern classics.
Another perk? They’re often built on large lots, which opens up the possibility of a patio, Tiki bar, or cool landscape. If you’re lucky, you may find one where previous owners haven’t ripped out the wood paneling or replaced the carport with a garage.
Other features commonly associated with the ranch house include sliding patio doors, a pass-through to the kitchen, and a living room with brick fireplace and multipaned window. Oh, and there are finished basements to host groovy parties—spinning records, of course.
We went in search of radical Ranch-style bargains and found these six sweethearts—all listed for less than $200,000.
116 Indian Hills Road, Manor, PA
Price: $175,000
So radical: Designed by a protégé of Frank Lloyd Wright, this three-bedroom home on over an acre is only a half-hour drive from Pittsburgh. It’s a 1954 Better Homes & Gardens model that “will put the cookie cutter home to shame!” Some of the retro goodies preserved in the house are a Chambers Copper built-in oven and cooktop, redwood ceilings and walls, and a brick wall with an embedded fireplace in the living room. The unique U-shape design carves out a sweet little courtyard perfect for entertaining.
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10411 W. Devonshire Ave, Phoenix, AZ
Price: $164,900
So radical: Red double doors perk up the brick exterior of this three-bedroom Ranch. Inside, modern updates take a starring role: granite countertops in both bathrooms and the kitchen, plus new light fixtures and wood-laminate flooring throughout. Brick walls enclose the yard, and a carport is wide enough to keep two cars cool on a scorching desert day.
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1914 Windsor Dr. SW, Atlanta, GA
Price: $164,900
So radical: Check out that goldenrod front door against a charcoal-gray exterior! Within this four-bedroom beauty is a brand-new kitchen with stainless-steel appliances and espresso-stained cabinets. Granite countertops were recently installed in the kitchen and bathroom. You can entertain on the deck or in the refinished basement.
